Insurance and bike security

[ladyjane007]

I have had my bike stolen a couple of weeks ago. I hardly used it and on the third occasion in two years - it got stolen from outside the Tate Modern in London. I didn't register it so I have just taken it as a massive loss

I have a new bike and have taken all the precautions to protect my bike:

• Kryptonite Gold Locks (though locks aren't a guarantee)
• Ink
• Bike registered
• Bike Security
• Tracker - apple tag

Can we discuss apple air tags - has anyone used them or got a view on speaker vs no speaker.

Insurance
When registering the bike there was a bikmo advert. Has anyone got an opinion of bike insurance - is it worth it? Bikmo - are they reputable? Do premiums go up if the bike gets stolen?

 

[tom73]

Bikmo are very reputable and all round ethical company. Never had an issue with them when it come to cost remember they cover not just the bike but you with 3rd party insurance and depending on the level cost of medical treatment .

 

[vickster]

Can you cover your bike through your home insurance, check the terms and confirm the costs compared to a specialist insurer

 

[MichaelW2]

I used to work in bike insurance handling. Keep records of all the accessories and upgrades attached to your bike, inc photos.

 

[iluvmybike]

Bikmo are very reputable and all round ethical company. Never had an issue with them when it come to cost remember they cover not just the bike but you with 3rd party insurance and depending on the level cost of medical treatment .

We had all of our bikes with them but the premiums went rather too high. Now with Ever Sure

 

[tom73]

We had all of our bikes with them but the premiums went rather too high. Now with Ever Sure

Oddly we've all our with them and they've not changed the premium for years.

 

[Oldhippy]

I can recommend a G Keni bike alarm tail light. Someone got me it as a present for my new Genesis, I am generally anti gadget but I have to say I'm a bit more relaxed locking it up knowing if it gets tampered with or moves it makes a hell of a noise! Operation by a remote and only £24 from Amazon.

 

[notmyrealnamebutclose]

Is it wise to spend a lot of money on a bike if you barely use it?

 

[Mike_P]

Insuring as part of home insurance is by far the cheapest IME

 

[PaulSB]

@ladyjane007 by far the most cost effective insurance is to add your bikes to your home insurance. You'll need to do this as named items.

I have my house, contents and bikes insured for £287pa. You won't find a cycle specialist offering that.

 

[Mike_P]

Depends on the insurer. Some automatically cover bicycles to a specific value.

 

[PaulSB]

Depends on the insurer. Some automatically cover bicycles to a specific value.

True but the specific value is usually very low. I've yet to find an insurer offering the value as bike insurance that I need.

It's usually £5-800 which is low.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

If you specifiy the bikes and their value then you can normally add them for a low extra price

but check what it covers!!

One thing I have noticed is that bike specific insurance often specifies things like a Sold Secure Gold lock and a ground anchor
whereas the Home Insurance simply says it needs to be locked up and out of sight - and a shed will do just fine - no extra conditions

Of course, if it gets knicked and you claim on the Hosue Insurance then the premium will go up - also you need to check the terms when it is out of the house - especially if it is left along for a long time in public - like when you are at work

COmes down to checking the terms - and checking again!

 

[tom73]

Level of lock normal depends on the value insured ours has no conditions re storage requirements.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Level of lock normal depends on the value insured ours has no conditions re storage requirements.

next time my insurance is up I will be looking for a replacement carefully
Yellow Jersey seem a bit over specific regarding how to lock things up at home - means they have a shed loads of things to moan about in the event of a theft from the shed
Of course - they might be very reasonable about it - but then you never know unless you make a claim!!